St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-08-27
Communicated
THE DEAF AND dunn ASYLUM AT
BATON ROUGE

1t isa matter of much surprise to all
thinking persons, that from the South
ern Parishes of Louisiana, where there
are so many deaf mutes, so few lind
their way to the Deaf and Dumb Asy-
lum at Baton Rouge which is as ably
conducted as any Institution OF the
kind in the United States. There were
not more than forty pupils last year-a
very small proportion when we remem-
Der the numbers of those afflicted be-
ings TO be met with in this State--paTti-
cularIy that portion of it, where con
slant inter-marrages are the rule, and
some arbitrary law of heredity, has its
fixed, and painful sesuences.
For several years ! have followed
closely the workings of the system of
tuition in the Asylum, and have been sur
prised at the rapid Improvement of its
inmates. Compared with the average
school Of seeing, and hearing pupils, the
deaf mutcs have rather the advantage
in retentivc memory, accuracy OF in
formation, and a peculiar grace of eX-
preston III written composition. Some
of their exercises on the black board,
their rapid solutions of problems, would
seem marvellous, unless we remem bered
their deprivation of two most impor-
tant functions, had given an abnormal
.
years ago the, iahial system was intro
duced into t'Ae Asylum. The articua-
ton class lander the charge of Miss
Rambo of New York, is making rapid
progress. in speech The printing class
under charge of Austin d. Williams
formerly of this place, does great credit
TO its faithful, ard efficient teacher
The mutcs publish Il monthly paper, do
all the mechanical and editorial work
themselves, and ir composition and
printing their little periodical compares
tavorably with any issue of the same
kind in any part OF the country. The
most apt pupil in this department, is a
mute from st. Land ry.
There is corps OF five efficient teach
ers foI the different. classes. The Ma
iron, assistant Matr on, and physician of
the establishment, have endeared them
selves to the pupils, by their kindly
care, and watchfu mess in sickness, and
in health. But th ere is little OF no sick
ness in the As ylum. The spacious
grounds, formerly occupied by the
State University furnish ample room
for exercise, and sports. Thele is a
large reom set apart for Cahsthenlc eX-
ercises, at which m any OF the pupils are
expert. The bnild Jugs are large. well
built. well ventilated, and all hyginic
precautions are tax en- to avert disease.
Mr.. John JastgeIr ski the SuperiDten-
dent of the Asylum, devOtes his time,
ana every thought to the care, and i'm
provement, of the Institution. He is
mild, benevolent m an beloved. and res
pected. not only 'oy the unfortunate
beings under his; charge, but by the
community in which he lives. The
very man to till a position which re-
quires untlrlng patience, and a kind
sympathetic nature. 1t has been
through bis energy that SO many i'm
provements ha Sc been introduced into
the management of the Asylum. 1t
has been mad not only school to de-
velope the me Jntal faculties of the deaf
muteS, but Q. home where every care,
and attention is bestowed upon them,
and their HE is filled with activity, and
innocent pleasure. 1t seems singular
that all VINO labor under this miSfOr
tune do not seek admittanCe TO place,
where instead of dragging out ii miseT-
able existence, burthen to their
friends, and the community, they are
taught Go be self supporting. If any of
the pupils show 4 marked talent for
mechanics Or any other trade or bust
ness, as far as possible facilities are af-
fOrded for lts prosecution. The pauper
mute meets with the same care, and at
tention as th e son or daughter of parents
in good circumstances and in fact some
of the most promising pupils there,
have been taken from homes of ex-
IRENE power ty.
1t is usus.lly parents who object to
sending the r afflicted children away to
a strange place, and among strange
people. Bat if they could only realize,
that they a1e closing to them the only
avenue, by which light can reach their
dalkened minds, that they debar
them from all mental development, it
il possible, the number of pupils at the
Baton Rouge Asylum, would be much
larger than it is.
The Asylum has been removed to the
grounds and buildings lately occupied
by the State University, which has
taken possession of the old Barracks
above town. 1t is situated on high
hill, or ridge which oyeil0oks the Mis-
sissippi River, and commands fine and
varied prospect. 1t is decidedly the
most beautiful, and one of the most
healthful situations in the pretty city of
Baton Rouge. No one should go there
without paying the Asylum visit and
seeing for themselves what work has
been wrought, in spite of the discour-